Lead Financial Controller

Cameron Clarke Associates t/a talent-finder; Oldham; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work option

Pension scheme

23 days holiday + statutory holidays

Job summary

Cameron Clarke Associates t/a talent-finder seeks a Lead Financial Controller in Oldham to guide a two-person finance team, handling monthly tasks, VAT, and payroll processes. You will work closely with a VIP client, improving processes and driving team performance.

The role is office-based with occasional home working and offers a £42,000 salary plus a bonus scheme. Strong Xero experience and people leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a small finance team.
• Strong knowledge of Xero and related automation tools.
• Experience with VAT, HMRC submissions and payroll journals.

Responsibilities

• Lead a two-person finance team and allocate workloads.
• Set and monitor KPIs; coach junior staff.
• Communicate directly with a VIP client and manage performance.
• Post payroll journals and respond to bookkeeping questions.
• Carry out bank reconciliations and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare financial and management reports for review.
• Assist with VAT returns and HMRC submissions.

Skills

Team leadership

KPIs

Communication

Numerical aptitude

Attention to detail

Client management

Tools

Xero

Hubdoc

Dext

Job description

Lead Financial Controller | Oldham, Lancashire | Full Time | £42,000 per annum + Bonus

Our client is a firm of chartered accountants focused on helping businesses grow. They work closely with clients, combining tailored support with modern digital tools to deliver a high standard of service.

The Role

They are seeking a Lead Financial Controller to lead a team of two, supporting one of their high-revenue VIP clients. The team manages monthly invoices, bank reconciliations, and quarterly bookkeeping and VAT requirements, while also assisting with monthly payroll processing and auto-enrolment pension administration.

As Lead Financial Controller, you will be responsible for managing the two-person team, allocating workloads, reviewing work, setting and monitoring KPIs, supporting training and development, and managing performance. You will also have direct communication with the VIP client and be responsible for improving processes and driving team performance.

The role will involve both hands-on finance work and team leadership, client management and oversight.

The role is office-based, although there is scope to work from home at times.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a two-person finance team
• Allocate workloads and review team members' work
• Set and monitor KPIs
• Coach and develop junior staff
• Manage team performance
• Communicate directly with the VIP client
• Improve processes and drive team performance
• Post payroll journals to clients' bookkeeping software
• Respond to Xero / bookkeeping questions and resolve issues
• Carry out bank reconciliations
• Process expenses and mileage claims
• Process sales and purchase invoices
• Prepare financial reports for accounting purposes
• Prepare periodic reports for management review
• Assist with VAT returns and submissions to HMRC
• Perform reconciliations for all balance sheet items

Requirements

Candidates with experience gained within either an accountancy practice or an industry finance environment are encouraged to apply.

Essential

• Previous team leadership or management experience
• Strong knowledge and experience with Xero
• Experience with Hubdoc and/or Dext
• Experience with VAT and HMRC requirements
• Experience with payroll journals and/or payroll processing
• Strong experience with bank and balance sheet reconciliations
• Experience with financial and management reporting
• Client relationship management experience
• Experience allocating workloads and reviewing team members' work
• Experience setting and monitoring KPIs
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work to various deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• A good eye for detail
• High numerical aptitude
• Excellent telephone manners
• Very organised, with the ability to manage your own workload

Desirable

• Experience coaching and developing junior staff
• Knowledge of Trello

What's In It For You

• £42,000 per annum + bonus
• £3,000 bonus over two years (£1,500 per year), based on client success
• Standard auto-enrolment pension
• 30 days annual leave plus 3 days at Christmas, including statutory entitlement and bank holidays
• 35.5 hours per week
• Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Casual dress code
• Office-based, with the opportunity to work from home at times
• Scope for growth in responsibilit